The report lays down a roadmap for complete transition across the country to BS IV automotive fuels which—with a 50 ppm sulfur limit—are able to support a level of aftertreatment technologies that can enable BS IV (Euro IV) emission standards. The report also presents a roadmap for a countrywide shift to BS V automotive fuels (10 ppm sulfur) and therefore to BS V (Euro V) emission standards.

Since 2010, India requires BS III fuel and emission standards nationwide. BS IV fuels are available in New Dehli and in a growing number of large cities. This dual fuel standard causes fuel quality problems, with many drivers traveling outside of the BS IV areas to fill up with the less expensive BS III fuels. Additionally, diesel is adulterated with heavily subsidized kerosene that costs about 70% less than diesel fuel.

According to a recent report by the UN’s World Health Organization (WHO), Indian capital New Delhi is the world’s most polluted city, with an annual mean PM2.5 exposure of 153 µg/m3. The top ten most polluted cities in the WHO database include 5 more Indian cities (accompanied by three cities in Pakistan and one city in Iran). China’s Beijing was ranked only 76th, with PM2.5 at 56 µg/m3.